After greeting someone, do you usually follow with "How are you?"?

Question

I posed this question to my on-line friends a few days ago and their answers actually surprised me. Truthfully, I *don't*. I do ask it if I've been asked the question first though -- with the exception being those "walk-by" how-are-yous in which you usually don't even have time to answer and reciprocate the question anyway. :P

Answer 1

yah it would be rude if u dont

Answer 2

we as a society have been greeting people we meet by saying hello and how are you, but the thing is we do not want to hear is how you are "really" doing. We just want the "fine", "good, thank you, and you?" response. It is just a time thing, everyone is in such a hurry now that it is acceptable, even though etiquette-wise it is wrong.

Answer 3

I really try hard to avoid asking "how are you" unless I really want to know. It's personally one of my pet peeves to be asked that question in passing and know the person doesn't really care in that moment.
Sometimes it feels like I really should say something besides "Hi" and when that happens I usually ask, "How's it going?" Even though I sometimes feel that it borders the "how are you" dilemma

Answer 4

It's usually the nice thing to do, unless the person growls at you, which would make someone like me run away. But sometimes I just give them a huge smile if it's a walk-by. never hurts!

Answer 5

No, unless the person has been ill and I'm really interested. I don't like to be asked it either, because the person doesn't really want to know. You could say "I cracked my skull this morning" and the person would answer, "that's good", because it's a meaningless question said without thought or interest.

Answer 6

That is definately better than just 'hi' then stating your business. Unless you know the person enough and really care how they feel, it is better to say 'hi, it's good to see you." If you don't know them well enough to ask something specific like 'hi, how was the game yesterday?' then chances are you really don't give a crap how they feel, so don't waste everybody's time with the pre-programmed 'how are you?' 'fine, how are you?' 'good'

Answer 7

No, because it's insincere anyway. Most people don't actually care how you are when they ask; it was just brainwashed into their heads as kids that that's what you say to greet people.

Answer 8

if its one of those akward moments where nobody know what to say or if they ask me then yes i will ask them. but especially if its a walk by i dont, cuz u just look like and idiot by saying "how ar-" and then getting cut off cuz he/she is long gone. so yeah. good q!

Answer 9

Yeah, it's typical to ask something along those lines. Other than a walk-by hello, I would advise saying something like "How's it going?", "How was your day?", "How are you?", or even "Sup?".

Answer 10

Yes, cos it's polite and expected

Answer 11

I usually do, unless its one of those real fast walkby things.